As scams become more prevalent on social media and through text messages and emails, Canberrans are being encouraged to learn to identify key scam signs to protect themselves and their loved ones.
According to OurCBR, Canberra residents lost more than $7 million in reported scams last year, the highest of any other State or Territory in proportion to population.
“Scams target people from a variety of backgrounds, ages, and income levels,” OurCBR said.
“Scams cause considerable non-financial and financial harm with devastating effects on people and families,” it said.
“One of the best ways to combat scams is by being aware of them and knowing how to protect yourself.
“When dealing with uninvited contact, always consider the possibility that it may be a scam.”
The newsletter listed some common signs of scams, including emails or text messages asking people to click on a link; being urged to act quickly; requests for passwords or personal/financial details; or a caller asking to remotely access a computer.
OurCBR cautioned people to be on the look out for requests for payment via unusual methods such as gift cards, cryptocurrency, or bank transfer, and offers that sounded too good to be true.
“Many scams operate by purporting to be from a genuine source,” it said.
“If unsure, check that a communication is real by contacting the person or organisation directly using details you have found yourself.
“Scammers can spoof phone numbers and emails so they appear to be genuine.”
OurCBR advised people who had been scammed to contact their bank immediately, report the incident to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and change their online passwords.
Further information on how to protect ourselves from scams can be accessed on the ACCC’s website at this PS News link.
